I do not own Naruto.
It was obvious, in training, just how much more settled Naruto was now that he was back to frantically failing to keep up with the never-ending paper mill that was Konoha.
And a settled Naruto was, apparently, a deadly Naruto.
The first time they clashed, his prince crushed Kakashi.
It was a good thing the team knew they were together, because Kakashi had to pull Naruto into a hard, eager kiss the moment the spar ended.
"You find being defeated an aphrodisiac?" Sai speculated.
"Only when it's Naruto," Kakashi pulled back just long enough to answer.
Kami, his prince was incredible.
"I'd suggest you get a room, but I'm mildly concerned you'd traumatize civilians on the way," a monotone voice droned.
"Sasuke! What are you doing here?" Sakura squealed.
"I was promised a spar with Kakashi, but he appears busy."
Naruto mumbled something into their kiss and flapped a hand, but didn't withdraw.
Kakashi figured the team must have found something to do while he continued unashamedly making out with his prince, because they weren't interrupted until sometime later when he was whapped on the back of his head.
Asuma was scowling at him while Kurenai was farther away, giggling.
"Hi, Asuma-san!" Naruto greeted brightly, apparently uncaring that he was still wrapped in Kakashi's arms and looking ravished.
That was very satisfying.
"Naruto. The pervert?"
Naruto blinked. "I edited Jiraiya's latest two books, you know."
Asuma sighed.
"Have you already gotten the age talk?" Kurenai asked.
"From Akimichi-san," Naruto confirmed.
"Great. Congratulations to you both, then. I want all the details."
It was Kakashi's turn to sigh as Naruto bounced up to Kurenai and they began whispering like schoolgirls as they walked.
"You trust the brat not to say anything embarrassing?"
"He's as private as I am. What are you doing here, anyway?"
"Gai is presiding over a Konoha Twelve get-together. Your other students were not brave enough to interrupt."
"Smart children."
"You realize they're the same age as your brat."
"In years." Kakashi looked at Asuma pointedly. His friend got the message, and they moved on to chatting about recent missions. As much as Kakashi could be said to 'chat'.
By the time they arrived at Gai's chosen barbeque place, Naruto had wrapped Kakashi's arm around his shoulders.
Even Asuma had softened at what Kakashi knew had to be pure delight expressed in his eye.
Naruto was going to acknowledge his claim to the regular forces as well.
And Kakashi was going to get to watch their faces as he did!
"Naruto," Lee cried, "you made it! With… Kakashi… san?"
Conversations rapidly dwindled as the Konoha Twelve stared at the pair.
"My eternal rival! How youthful, to have found love!" Gai began to expound.
Kakashi grinned. He wouldn't be surprised if Gai understood more than anyone else, even if the man had nowhere near the same needs.
"You and... Kakashi-san," the Yamanaka said slowly.
"Troublesome."
The Hyuuga girl looked heartbroken while her Inuzaka teammate frowned at them.
He'd no doubt already known. The Nara heir must have at least guessed.
Tenten looked vaguely ill.
Neji Hyuuga, the only jounin of the bunch, flicked his gaze from Naruto to Kakashi and seemingly decided he approved. Kakashi pretended not to notice the spark of jealousy and resignation in the young man's eyes.
Shino and Chouji went back to their discussion.
Well, it could have been better.
And then Naruto pulled Kakashi down for a quick kiss and the gasps and coughs and grumbles were indeed much better.
"Wait, they just kissed… but did anybody see Kakashi-san's face?"
"What the heck!" Sakura wailed.
Kakashi smirked and followed Naruto to their seat near the other jounin.
It felt oddly natural, to talk with his peers while Naruto chattered with his. Occasionally Naruto would nudge Kakashi to eat, or Kakashi would drop a masked kiss on Naruto's head. Naruto's fingers remained tangled with Kakashi's on his shoulder.
After the initial shock, only Tenten continued paying their affection any mind. Probably her civilian tendencies. Lee had been conditioned by Gai, and Sakura, well.
It would have been nice to show off their scars as well, but outside the ANBU it was an exceptionally rare tradition. Even within the ANBU, tattoos were more popular for those who were willing to risk marks. And it was a risk. One had to trust that one's partner could defend themself if their identity were to be revealed, after all.
Naruto remained while the rest of his age group slowly trickled away, leaving only him, Sasuke, and the older jounin.
Kakashi could feel his prince's posture resettle. So, they were introducing the others to the future Hokage, then?
"Sasuke."
"Yes."
Kakashi had no idea what Naruto had ordered, but the Uchiha flickered away.
"Not going to leave the adults to talk, Naruto-kun?" Asuma asked, only half teasing.
"You grew up?" Naruto replied, looking perfectly surprised.
Kakashi smirked, but Asuma scowled. Gai, unsurprisingly, began a tirade of Youth.
Kakashi was inordinately pleased by the fond smile Naruto gave the man. Gai deserved to be put to better use than Tsunade was currently allowing.
"Do you think you'll take other genin teams?" Naruto asked.
Kurenai blushed.
"When you're less busy, of course," Naruto qualified. Kakashi wonder whether he had also smelled her pregnancy, or if he'd found out by some other means.
Kakashi still wasn't sure of all that Naruto had learned in his two years away.
"I'd like to," Kurenai admitted. "They're cute at that age."
"I wouldn't survive another round of D-ranks," Asuma complained.
Gai declared that it would be a crime not to pass his Youthfulness on to another team in the future.
"What about you, Kakashi?" Kurenai asked.
"Naru-chan wouldn't inflict that on me."
"I will if you don't quit calling me Naru-chan."
"Why would Naruto get a say?" Asuma demanded.
"I'm helping with Baa-chan's paperwork," Naruto explained smugly. "I just have to add in an extra file at the right time, and…"
"Maa, Naru-chan, don't abuse your position."
"Only because you'd let me, Kashi." He pecked Kakashi on the cheek.
"You two are sickeningly adorable."
"Why thank you, Kurenai-san. He does it just to annoy Asuma-san and Yamato."
Asuma's eyebrow twitched.
"Lies!"
"Naruto," Sasuke interrupted.
Something passed between them, and Naruto smiled. "Thanks, Sasuke. He's coming by later?"
"Yes."
"I'll handle it, then."
Asuma looked hilariously confused by Naruto's commanding air. One would never know he'd just been told that Naruto was doing the Hokage's paperwork, by his disbelief.
Sasuke tilted his head. Naruto smiled. Sasuke flickered away.
"You two are creepy," Kakashi remarked.
"Pot, kettle," Asuma said.
"Maa, maa, so mean. Naru-chan, help me!"
-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-
Tsunade summoned Kakashi to her office.
Seeing as Naruto would have warned him of any missions, Kakashi sensed impending doom.
Kakashi arrived late, slouching, and reading Icha Icha.
Jiraiya was there.
The man didn't respond when Kakashi tipped the book respectfully toward its author.
Yes, there was impending doom.
"I heard a rumor," Tsunade began.
Oh. That doom was right on schedule.
"Apparently," Jiraiya cut in. "You're dating my godson."
"Dating is such a funny word."
Tsunade's face darkened. "Is it?"
"It does tend to imply dates."
"And do you have a better word?" Jiraiya said generously.
Kakashi thought about it. He hadn't really bothered. Committed partnership? But they were not partners. Not that they were not equals, but. Kakashi served Naruto. Everything else was, in the end, extraneous. So.
"Committed?"
They waited a beat. Tsunade growled.
"Committed to what?"
Kakashi blinked at her. "Naruto."
Jiraiya waved down his teammate before she could snap.
"Are you being safe?"
"We're ninja."
"When you're having sex, Kakashi."
"Oh," Kakashi pretended to realize. "Why is everyone so interested in our sex life?"
"Because he's fifteen!" Tsunade yelled.
"He's an adult."
Kakashi loathed the fact that all he would have to do is declare that they weren't screwing, and she were cease to be so furious. Screwing and sex were two very different things, and he very much liked sex with Naruto. He didn't care to give the false impression that he wasn't having it.
"Kakashi," Jiraiya said reasonably. "We all care about Naruto. Tsunade and I are just trying to make sure he's safe."
"He's probably the safest man in Konoha," Kakashi said honestly. Not only would Kakashi fight to the death for him, so would all of Konoha's most elite ninja. And Naruto himself was a powerhouse. Assuming he didn't unduly risk his life on a mission, Naruto was going to live a long life.
That seemed to calm Tsunade. "And what are your intentions, exactly, in regards to Naruto?"
Kakashi would serve Naruto. Serve his prince's dreams of becoming Hokage and bringing peace. And, in the course of that service, preferably get to stay with Naruto. Be his confidant, his mentor, his bodyguard, his right hand.
"I'd like to stay by his side."
"And you have to be dating him to do that?"
"We've never been on a date." Kakashi was getting tired of this. Naruto had surely sensed his chakra in the building, right? He modulated it, letting any watching know that he was uncomfortable but not in dire need of assistance.
"In a romantic relationship, whatever. You can stay by his side without screwing him."
Jiraiya scowled at her terminology, but didn't contradict his teammate.
Someone knocked at the door.
Thank Kami for perceptive princes.
"Hello, Baa-chan, ero-sennin."
"Naruto," Tsunade smiled. "We were just discussing you with Kakashi. It's so good to know the two of you aren't dating."
Naruto blinked. "I would have thought you'd prefer dates to a more ambiguous relationship, Baa-chan. I'm glad you're so open-minded."
Tsunade scowled while Jiraiya guffawed.